The crisis for Joe Biden has worsened as more and more Democrats have openly called on him to end his candidacy.
Biden’s criticized performance during the first presidential debate against Donald Trump caused many in the party to question his ability to win the election.
Since then, the discussion about Biden’s future has escalated.
The discussions arouse strong reactions among voters throughout the United States and not least in the state where Biden has his roots.
More public appearances
On Sunday, the president made several stops there — one in Philadelphia and one in Harrisburg — as the campaign sought to increase the number of public appearances.
At a bakery in the president’s hometown of Scranton, we meet several Democratic and Republican voters, who see the post-debate chaos as worrisome. For some, it has become increasingly clear that the choice is between two candidates that many do not see as possible alternatives.
– The whole situation is terrifying, it really is. President Biden is 81 years old and we all saw what happened the other night. And Trump is a convicted felon. What is happening? I don’t like this at all, says Michael Schulte.
Josephine doesn’t give up
In one of the residential areas of Scranton, where Biden’s childhood home is located, some Democratic voters who were previously strong Biden supporters have now become increasingly doubtful.
– He is old. It’s sad because I really want to support him. He is our president, he has accomplished a lot. But it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to accept the age factor, says Tom Boots.
However, 86-year-old Josephine Jordan is not going to give up hope that Biden will remain as the party’s candidate in November.
– He does the best he can and he is not backed up by anyone. It’s almost like he’s all alone. I think most people would rather prefer Donald Trump, but I don’t. I just don’t do that, she says.
The message in the TV interview
Biden continues to dismiss the criticism and says he has no intention of giving up.
On Monday, the president called on critics to challenge him.
– Anyone here who doesn’t think I should run, challenge me! Announce that you are running for president and challenge me at the convention, says Biden in an interview with the television channel MSNBC.